Turnbull Government's 'Excellent Start' On Family Planning Aid

It has pledged more than $30 million overnight for women and girls in developing countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop: "The Australian Government is committed to the promotion and delivery of sexual and reproductive health services."

CANBERRA -- Aid groups and watchers are applauding the Turnbull Government for starting to fill the gap left by U.S President Donald Trump in developing nations by pledging more than $30 million for reproductive health services for women and girls at a major family planning summit in London.

The new commitments - which have also been welcomed by Labor - were announced by Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Sharman Stone, at a international donor summit which is expected to received more than $2.5 billion in pledges overall.

While Australia's pledges - $33.5 million over four years - have been welcomed, they pale next to Canada's $241.5 million overnight pledge for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) funding.

In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop revealed the money would be targeted at the Pacific through a specific new $30 millionpartnership with the UN Population Fund (UNPFA).

"Through this new program, the Australian Government and UNFPA will work with our Pacific partners to reduce the unmet need for family planning towards zero by 2030."

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Australia has also announced a contribution of $3.5 million to support UNFPA Supplies. This an increase to the standard pledge to UNFPA from the Australian government. $2.5 million was provided in 2016.

"UNFPA Supplies is a vital mechanism providing essential drugs that save the lives of thousands of women and babies in developing countries each year."

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Labor's international development spokeswoman, Claire Moore, told HuffPost Australia the pledges are a "valuable first step". She is concerned the international pledges won't meet what President Trump has taken out of the aid pool of funding because of the global gag rule's reintroduction.

"I think it is really important that Australia was seen alongside the nations taking a role," she said.

"I don't think it goes far enough and I don't think it does catch up to the reductions we have had.

"But it is more important to celebrate that we have made this commitment."